Just over Interstate 10, Orange Theory Fitness is hosting its third fitness challenge this month since opening, where Ahwatukee residents have proven the challenge’s big-time results.

Theresa Sherman and Travis Dale participated in the National Ultimate Fitness Challenge in January for Orange Theory Fitness. The male and female category local winners beat out about 30 other participants at the nearby location on Ray Road.

Sherman, who lost 28 pounds in six weeks, said her competitive drive and the money factor kept her motivated.

“I know that once I’m signed up, I’m in it to win it,” she said.

Dale lost more than 36 pounds during the six-week challenge and said his children are his motivation.

“Just being active with my kids,” he said. “I was letting busyness and stress get in the way of taking care of myself.”

A minimum of three workouts a week are required of challenge participants, which features the fitness center’s signature high-intensity workout that combines treadmill training, rowing and strength training.

“People need to know that weight loss doesn’t have to be crazy, but it does have to be consistent,” said studio manager Amanda Goolsby. “It’s just about balance.”

With some of the extreme results by members and challenge winners, both Sherman and Dale remind interested residents that it’s also a lifestyle change.

“I decided it’s a lifestyle change. You have to keep working out, eating healthy, and making right choices, and it has gotten easier after this challenge,” Sherman said.

For Goolsby, who has managed the studio since the nearby location opened last July, seeing the physical and emotional change in the studio’s members is most rewarding.

“When it comes to fitness and weight loss, a lot of people try everything, they’ve done everything,” she said.

Even when members lost 5 or 10 pounds at the end of the challenge, Goolsby explained, it’s still a big accomplishment when nothing worked for them in the past.